The USA kicked off their 2026 World Cup in style with Folarin Balogun becoming a national hero overnight – but just a few years ago he had dreams of playing for England instead.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side thrashed Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles on Friday night, with Balogun bagging a brace, becoming only the second American to score twice in a World Cup match.
A product of Arsenal’s academy, the striker made just a handful of senior appearances for the Gunners before a prolific loan spell at Reims earned him a £26million transfer to Monaco in 2023.
The 24-year-old has continued to thrive in France, scoring 19 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions last season.
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But just a few months before the transfer, Balogun made a momentous decision to switch his international allegiance from England to the United States.
Balogun’s parents were living in London but visiting New York when he was born, returning to the UK when he was two-months-old where he was subsequently raised.
With his parents hailing from Nigeria, he was eligible to play for the African giants as well as England and the USA.
Initially, he chose England, featuring at several different youth levels, and saying in 2019: ‘I enjoy their style of play which is similar to Arsenal’s.’
And it seemed he had a promising career ahead for the Three Lions, scoring seven goals in just 13 appearances for Lee Carsley’s under-21 side.
But he had yet to commit to a national team, having also played four times for America’s U18 team, while he had also publicly expressed interest in starring for Nigeria.
Why did Folarin Balogun switch allegiance from England to USA?
In March 2023, Balogun withdrew from an England Under-21 squad and flew to Orlando where he met with the USMNT squad and interim manager Anthony Hudson.
After chatting with Hudson and key players, including ex-Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic and then-Arsenal teammate Matt Turner, he was swayed to join the Stars and Stripes, making his senior debut for them in July.
At the time, Balogun said the decision to switch was a ‘no-brainer’, telling US Soccer: ‘When I broke the news to my family they were all just over the moon, especially my mum.
‘She said, “What took you so long?”
‘To represent the United States means a lot, more than people would know. I’m very proud and honoured to have this opportunity, and I want to give everything I have to make our team successful.’
The decision may have been partly motivated by the lack of opportunity to play for England and Nigeria at the time, while the US were in desperate need of a top-class No.9.
Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins have been firmly established as England’s first-choice strikers for several years now, while Nigeria were also flush with No.9s at the time, including Victor Osimhen.
Whatever the case, it has so far proved the correct call, a point Balogun was keen to make after his outstanding performance against Paraguay.
‘When I committed, I’ve always said the fans gave me so much motivation, showed me so much support. For me, the most important thing has always been to repay that.
‘I feel like today is a great opportunity, and I just want to continue to show the fans I made the right decision. I’m completely proud, and I want to continue to make the fans proud as well.’
Balogun will hope to continue lighting up the World Cup finals when the USA face Australia in their next Group D game next Friday.
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